Israel’s New Robots Modeled on Animals’ Movements

Returning to one of my favorite subjects, here is a post I found on robots designed from biological models. The robot pictured below is a snakebot. Israeli robot builders seem to love serpents as a model for robots. Click on the serpents link above to see an earlier post on RobotNext about an Israeli Defense Forces robot that is to be used for recon missions.

NY1's Technology performer Adam Balkin filed the report this story is taken from. The innovative robots were developed by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel. Their creator, Amir Shapiro, finds inspiration in nature. Specifically, he studies how animals move. "We actually look at nature and try to copy but we cannot copy exactly because we have different materials and actuators," says Shapiro. "So we try to mimic nature — it's called biomimetics."

He has created two robotic snakes for search and rescue missions. One of his creations can climb nearly vertical surfaces such a metal ship hull by using magnets to attach to the surface. In the story, Shapiro shows other robots that he is working with that are based on LEGO NXT kits. He makes the point that robots can be developed and build using very inexpensive materials. Computing power is readily available, so very innovative robots can be build by anyone with the necessary knowledge and skill.

His point is well taken. Robots have a use where the environment is too dangerous for humans, but robots also have a role to play in recreation. To see one of the robot snakes in action, click on the video credit link below.